This week it looks like we have a lot of musical announcements and movies to look forward to. To musical adaptations, reliving old concerts and documentaries too. Check out everything announced this week!
Looking for Holiday movies? We have a lot of fun options coming out on Hulu and AppleTV+. Be sure to stay up to date with the latest movie releases, and don’t miss the screenings.
Metro Detroit Local Events
- Mrs. Doubtfire (November 14-26)
- Chelsea Handler (December 1st)
- A Very Darren Crissmas (December 10th)
- Johnny Cash – The Official Concert Experience (February 2024)
- PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL (February 20 – 25).
- THE CHER SHOW (March 19 – 24).
- MAMMA MIA! (April 23 – 28).
Giveaways
Screenings
Movie and Series Review
Movie and Entertainment Updates
AMERICAN SYMPHONY – Now Streaming on Netflix
Early in 2022, multi-instrumentalist Jon Batiste finds himself the most celebrated artist of the year with eleven Grammy nominations including Album of the Year. In the midst of that triumph, Jon is immersed in his most ambitious challenge yet: composing American Symphony, an original symphony that reimagines the traditions of the classical form, bringing together an expansive and inclusive diaspora of music for a performance at storied Carnegie Hall. This extraordinary trajectory is upended when Batiste’s life partner — best-selling author Suleika Jaouad — learns that her long-dormant cancer has returned. In the intimate AMERICAN SYMPHONY, Academy Award-nominated and Emmy Award-winning director Matthew Heineman (Cartel Land, The First Wave, Retrograde) delivers a portrait of two inimitable artists at a crossroads and a profound meditation on art, love, and the creative process.
Apple TV+ Trailer Debut: “John Lennon: Murder Without A Trial” – Premiering December 6th
Apple TV+ released the official trailer for the new three-part documentary series, “John Lennon: Murder Without A Trial,” narrated by Emmy Award winner Kiefer Sutherland (“24,” “The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial”) and set to premiere globally on December 6. The docuseries features exclusive eyewitness interviews and previously unseen crime scene photos, shedding new light on the life and murder of music and cultural icon John Lennon, and the investigation and conviction of Mark David Chapman, his confessed killer.
“John Lennon: Murder Without A Trial” is a deeply researched examination of John Lennon’s 1980 murder, which shocked and saddened the world. The production was granted extensive Freedom of Information Act requests from the New York City Police Department, the Board of Parole and the District Attorney’s office; and the series includes exclusive interviews including Richard Peterson, a taxi driver who was witness to the shooting; Jay Hastings, a doorman at The Dakota who heard Lennon’s last words; David Suggs, Mark David Chapman’s defense lawyer; Elliot Mintz, a confidant to Lennon and Yoko Ono; and Dr Naomi Goldstein, the psychiatrist who first assessed Chapman.
The series is produced for Apple TV+ by the BAFTA and Emmy Award winning team at 72 Films, directed by Nick Holt (“The Murder Trial,” “Responsible Child”) and Rob Coldstream (“Jade: The Reality Star Who Changed Britain”) with executive producers David Glover (9/11: One Day in America”), Mark Raphael (“Crime and Punishment”) and Rob Coldstream, alongside producers Simon Bunney and Louis Lee Ray.
Craig Before The Creek – Coming To Digital December 11th and To DVD March 26th
Get ready for big adventures, laugh-out-loud whole-hearted family fun, and a magical mystery with the long-awaited prequel to the hit Cartoon Network series Craig of the Creek! Discover the origin story of the Creek’s greatest explorer trio – Craig, JP, and Kelsey – and in a way we’ve never seen them before when the original animated movie, Craig Before the Creek is released digitally on December 11, 2023, and on DVD on March 26, 2024.
Cartoon Network will debut Craig Before the Creek on Saturday, January 13 at 10:00 am ET/PT and the next day on Sunday, January 14 at 10:30am ET/ PT. The network will also celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on January 15 with a marathon block of the original series, its spin-off Jessica’s Big Little World and Space Jam: A New Legacy, all leading to an encore airing of Craig Before the Creek.
Now in its fifth season, the Emmy, GLAAD-, and NAACP Image Award-nominated Craig of the Creek sits among one of Cartoon Network’s top 10 series by reach, and among its top 15 series by hours streamed. In 2023, the series garnered over 13 million viewers! Additionally, Jessica’s Big Little World, a spin-off series featuring Craig’s little sister Jessica, premiered in 2023 as part of Cartoon Network’s Cartoonito preschool block. Craig of the Creek was created by Matt Burnett & Ben Levin. The pilot episode debuted on the Cartoon Network app on December 1, 2017, and the show premiered on February 19, 2018.
Craig Before the Creek will be available on December 11, 2023, to purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more. The DVD will be available March 26, 2024, to purchase online and in-store at major retailers. Pre-order your copy now.
SYNOPSIS:
Before he was Craig of the Creek, he was just Craig – a new kid in a new town. All Craig wants is to go back to his old friends at his old home. But when he learns that the nearby creek is hiding a lost treasure that could make his wish come true, Craig sets off on a journey to find it – navigating the perilous suburban wilderness, forging new friendships, all while being pursued by a fearsome band of pirates who are bent on destroying the Creek itself.
Craig Before the Creek features the voices of Philip Solomon as Craig, Noël Wells as Kelsey, H Michael Croner as JP, Vico Ortiz as Serena, Kimberly Hébert Gregory as Nicole, Byron Marc Newsome as Duane, Phil LaMarr as Bernard, and Lucia Cunningham as Jessica.
Produced by Cartoon Network Studios, the film is directed by Matt Burnett & Ben Levin and co-directed by Naija Porter. The screenplay is by Matt Burnett & Ben Levin from a story by Matt Burnett, Tiffany Ford, Ashleigh Hairston, Ben Levin, Dashawn Mahome, Naija Porter, and Jeff Trammell. The Executive Producers are Matt Burnett, Ben Levin, and Sam Register. The Supervising Producer is Rossitza Likomanova. The Producer is Lisa Zunich. The Associate Producer is Susan Varghese.
TAYLOR SWIFT | THE ERAS TOUR (EXTENDED VERSION) Available To Rent December 13th
Calling all Swifties! The cultural phenomenon continues with the at-home release of the year’s epic concert film TAYLOR SWIFT | THE ERAS TOUR, debuting on the artist’s birthday in a headlining Extended Version December 13, 2023, exclusively on digital platforms in the U.S. and Canada where you can rent movies, including on Amazon Prime Video, Apple, Vudu, Xfinity, and YouTube & Google TV, from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. Continuing its record-breaking theatrical run, the spectacular movie experience capturing “a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon” (Variety), TAYLOR SWIFT | THE ERAS TOUR (EXTENDED VERSION) showcases incredible performances of Taylor’s beloved songs throughout her 17-year, award-winning career, with three bonus songs not seen in theaters including “Long Live,” “The Archer” and “Wildest Dreams.”
You can now experience the concert film that captured the history-making tour for the suggested rental price of $19.89*, honoring the legendary artist’s birth year and the title of her Grammy® Award-winning album 1989. The sensational theatrical event shattered records to become the highest-grossing global concert film of all time in just days of presales. The concert film, which dominated 2023, boasts an impressive 99% Certified Fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes, and gives viewers the opportunity to intimately experience the music and spectacle of the must-see event of the year at home.
Additional countries for the release of TAYLOR SWIFT | THE ERAS TOUR (EXTENDED VERSION) to be announced soon.
RECORD-BREAKING ‘MOVING’ TO DEBUT IN ENGLISH DECEMBER 13TH ON HULU
After taking the world by storm with its unmissable story and heart-stopping action sequences, super-powered Korean drama series “Moving” is set to make its highly anticipated English language debut on Dec. 13 exclusively on Hulu. All 20 subtitled episodes are currently available to stream on the platform.
“Moving” tells the story of a group of South Korean special agents working to protect their super-powered children from harm and exploitation at the hands of malicious government agencies. Initially recruited because of their extraordinary abilities to fly, instantly heal and use their enhanced senses in the field, the agents disappeared without a trace after being tasked with carrying out increasingly dubious missions. But with their children now exhibiting similar abilities and a dangerous assassin rapidly picking off super-powered individuals, the parents must leave their peaceful lives behind to become the “monsters” they once were.
First premiering in August this year, “Moving” rapidly became the most-viewed Korean original series on Hulu and Disney+ (internationally)*. The series also went on to take home six Asia Content Awards at the Busan International Film Festival, including the prestigious Best Creative Award, given in honor of content that has delivered the most notable achievements, as well as Best Visual Effects, Best Writer (Kang Full), Best Lead Actor (Ryu Seungryong), Best Newcomer Actor (Lee Jungha) and Best Newcomer Actress (Go Younjung).
Hailed as “a superhero story with an emotional core” by Forbes, “the next breakout hit from Asia” by Variety, and “surprising and powerful” by IGN, “Moving”starssome of the biggest names in the Korean entertainment industry, including Ryu Seungryong, Han Hyojoo and Zo Insung in his long-awaited return to a drama series.
“Moving”joins a rapidly expanding library of Korean content now available on Hulu, including the award-winning Blue Dragon series “Big Bet,” starring legendary actor Choi Minsik as a serial entrepreneur who repeatedly breaks the law to help bolster his burgeoning casino business; “The Worst of Evil”; “The Zone: Survival Mission” and more.
NIGHT SWIM | Watch the New Trailer – In Theaters January 5th
No running. No diving. No lifeguard on duty. No swimming after dark.
Atomic Monster and Blumhouse, the producers of M3GAN, high dive into the deep end of horror with the new supernatural thriller, Night Swim.
Based on the acclaimed 2014 short film by Rod Blackhurst and Bryce McGuire, the film stars Wyatt Russell (The Falcon and the Winter Soldier) as Ray Waller, a former major league baseball player forced into early retirement by a degenerative illness, who moves into a new home with his concerned wife Eve (Oscar® nominee Kerry Condon, The Banshees of Inisherin), teenage daughter Izzy (Amélie Hoeferle, this fall’s The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) and young son Elliot (Gavin Warren, Fear the Walking Dead).
Secretly hoping, against the odds, to return to pro ball, Ray persuades Eve that the new home’s shimmering backyard swimming pool will be fun for the kids and provide physical therapy for him. But a dark secret in the home’s past will unleash a malevolent force that will drag the family under, into the depths of inescapable terror.
Night Swim is written and directed by Bryce McGuire (writer of the upcoming film Baghead) and is produced by James Wan, the filmmaker behind the Saw, Insidious and The Conjuring franchises, and Jason Blum, the producer of the Halloween films, The Black Phone and The Invisible Man. The film is executive produced by Michael Clear and Judson Scott for Wan’s Atomic Monster and by Ryan Turek for Blum’s Blumhouse.
THE BEEKEEPER – See it in IMAX – In theaters January 12th
In The Beekeeper, one man’s brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as “Beekeepers.”
MEAN GIRLS | New Character Posters and LA & NY Mean Girls Experience Announcement – In Theaters January 12th
From the comedic mind of Tina Fey comes a new twist on the modern classic, MEAN GIRLS. New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called “The Plastics,” ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Reneé Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Wood) and Karen (Avantika). However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.
THE MEAN GIRLS EXPERIENCE SET TO DEBUT IN LOS ANGELES + NEW YORK THIS JANUARY
Bucket Listers (the popular media experience brand known for making everyday an adventure), is planning to rule the school with the announcement of their new Mean Girls Experience. Following the viral sold out success of the Malibu Barbie Cafe and Golden Girls Kitchen, the brand has set their sights on the most fetchconcept yet, giving fans of the iconic film a chance to experience North Shore High School like never before. Officially set to open to the public in Los Angeles on January 12th and New York on January 19th, the limited-time runs will coincide with Paramount Pictures’ release of the new Mean Girls film on January 12th.
“There was nothing more grool than the chance to bring the world of Mean Girls to life,” says Bucket Listers President of Experiences, Derek Berry. “It’s truly one of those movies that has stood the test of time and cult fandom. With the new film quickly approaching, there was no better time to honor this beloved classic and bring The Plastics’ world to life. Every day here will be October 3rd.”
The Mean Girls Experience will be a fast-casual restaurant of chef driven cafeteria style fare. Whether you are one of the “Greatest People You’ll Ever Meet” or “The Worst” you’ll have the chance to nosh on a variety of dishes created by Master Chef semi-finalist Chef Becky Brown including the Burn Book Burger Sliders, the Stab Caesar Salad,and 1 3 5 Acai Bowl. A variety of appropriately themed desserts (the Kälteen Brownie, Rainbow + Smiles Cake, Is Butter a Carb? Cookies, and the Fetch Strudel) will also be available. Every ticket purchase will include a reserved seat and guaranteed window of time to dine, a choice of entree, a candy cane gram (I don’t send them, I just get them) and the option to order additional North Shore shareables.
Don your most Regina George approved outfit (or you can’t sit with us) for an assortment of fan favorite set recreations of the film’s most memorable scenes and quotes. Don’t miss the chance to also hit up the Cool Mom Bar (happy hour is from 4-6), a Mean Girls Museum of set pieces and iconic outfits, exclusive Mean Girls Experiencemerchandise (get in loser we’re going shopping) and the opportunity to take center stage at the Winter Talent Show.
Make sure “You Go Glen Coco” by following along at @MeanGirls.Experience the Los Angeles Bucket List and New York Bucket List for all the latest updates. Tickets will be available exclusively through Bucket Listers. Join the waitlist now (https://bucketlisters.com/experience/the-mean-girls-experience-nyc + https://bucketlisters.com/experience/the-mean-girls-experience-la) and receive the first notification of ticket availability. That’s so fetch!
IMAX AND PATHÉ LIVE – “QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL” – Limited Engagement Starting January 18th
IMAX and Pathé Live in partnership with Mercury Studios and Queen Films announced today that, for the very first time, one of the world’s biggest bands will perform on cinema’s biggest screens with the global release of “QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL,” exclusively in IMAX® beginning January 18, 2024. This exhilarating live concert from 1981 is a window into Queen in their most unalloyed form, giving audiences a larger-than-life, front-row immersive experience. The film was digitally re-mastered for the first time into the image and sound quality of The IMAX Experience®, including 12-channel surround sound, crystal-clear images, and IMAX’s customized theatre geometry. Rock & roll royalty Freddie Mercury, Brian May, Roger Taylor, and John Deacon take to the stage in a historic and exhilarating performance of their greatest hits including “We Will Rock You,” “Somebody To Love,” “Under Pressure,” Bohemian Rhapsody,” “Another One Bites the Dust,” “We Are The Champions,” and additional songs from popular album The Game including “Dragon Attack,” “Play the Game,” and more. Executive producers include Geoff Kempin and Alice Webb for Mercury Studios and Jim Beach and Matilda Beach for Queen Films.
“I don’t think we quite realized it at the time, but this film has preserved one of the highest peaks in Queen’s touring life, on stage in the old glory days. The director was very much focussed on Freddie, and this now stands as probably the most precious intimate capture ever of Mr. Mercury at his full awesome power,” said Brian May. Added Roger Taylor, “Enjoy. We were young!”
“QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL” will be released in over 450 IMAX locations globally for four days beginning January 18. Participating territories include the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, France, Germany, South Africa, Australia, Brazil, and Mexico, to name a few. For a list of theatres and to purchase tickets please visit IMAX.COM/QUEEN.
“QUEEN ROCK MONTREAL” captures a pivotal moment in the band’s history. When Queen returned for the fourth time to Montreal’s 18,000-seat Forum in November 1981, where this concert was recorded, it was after a 15-month absence during which they became the biggest band in the world. Fueled by the release of The Game album, their smash single “Under Pressure,” and extensive touring, Queen now dominated the charts in every major territory across the globe.
The two shows that took place in Montreal – November 24 and 25, 1981 – were arranged specifically to set Queen up for another first: shooting a full-length concert film to properly document their live show, highlighting the state-of-the art sound recording. Having spent almost two years on the road, the group was ready for such a challenge and hit Montreal in top form for what would end up being two consecutives sold out, legendary nights.
Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU set for Christmas Day 2024
Focus Features will bring Robert Eggers’ highly anticipated horror film NOSFERATU to U.S. audiences on December 25, 2024, making it a prime holiday season release. Screenplay and Directed by Eggers, the film features an all-star cast that includes Bill Skarsgård, Nicholas Hoult, Lily-Rose Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Emma Corrin, Ralph Ineson, Simon McBurney and Willem Dafoe.
Eggers also serves as a producer alongside Chris Columbus, Eleanor Columbus, Jeff Robinov, and John Graham.
NOSFERATU marks Focus Features’ ongoing collaboration with Eggers following the 2022 release of the viking epic THE NORTHMAN. The film also reunites Eggers with veteran producer Chris Columbus who is credited as executive producer on THE WITCH and THE LIGHTHOUSE.
Peter Kujawski, Chairman of Focus Features, stated, “The audacious filmmaking of Robert Eggers is always a gift for fans, and we can promise that his Nosferatu is planning quite the Christmas feast.”
Robert Eggers’ NOSFERATU is a gothic tale of obsession between a haunted young woman and the terrifying vampire infatuated with her, causing untold horror in its wake.
Focus is distributing NOSFERATU in the U.S. with Universal Pictures International handling international distribution.